18-C M.R.S. § 5-208

This is the official text of 18-C M.R.S. § 5-208, part of Maine’s M.R.S — part of the compiled statutory law of Maine, published by the state as "M.R.S." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

18-C §5-208. Powers of guardian

Official statutory text

1. Guardian has powers of a parent. Except as otherwise limited by the court, a guardian of a minor has the powers of a parent regarding the minor's support, care, education, health and welfare. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

2. Specific powers. A guardian may: A. Apply for and receive money for the support of the minor otherwise payable to the minor's parent, guardian or custodian under the terms of any statutory system of benefits or insurance or any private contract, devise, trust, conservatorship or custodianship; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] B. If otherwise consistent with the terms of any order by a court of competent jurisdiction relating to custody of the minor, take custody of the minor and establish the minor's place of custodial dwelling, but may establish or move the minor's custodial dwelling outside the State only upon express authorization of the court; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] C. If a conservator for the estate of a minor has not been appointed with existing authority, commence a proceeding, including an administrative proceeding, or take other appropriate action to compel a person to support the minor or to pay money for the benefit of the minor; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] D. Except as limited by section 5‑807 , consent to medical or other care, treatment or service for the minor; [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] E. Consent to the marriage of the minor; and [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] F. If reasonable under all of the circumstances, delegate to the minor certain responsibilities for decisions affecting the minor's well-being. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

3. Consent to adoption. The court may specifically authorize the guardian to consent to the adoption of the minor. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

4. Powers of coguardians. If coguardians are appointed, the powers of the guardians are joint and several, unless limited by the appointing document. [PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

Need a lawyer in Maine?

Find a Maine lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.